Skip advert
Advertisement

Renault plots limited-edition R5 super hot hatch

Hi-tech performance car based on Turbo 3E concept is still being considered

Renault 5 Turbo EV - front action

Renault is considering plans to build a low-volume super hot hatch based on the Renault 5 Turbo 3E concept car from 2022. 

Word had gone quiet on any production version of the 375bhp concept, but when quizzed on the future of fast Renaults now that Alpine is firmly established as the group’s performance brand, CEO Luca de Meo said the company was “trying to find a way” to build a worthy fast Renault. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Insiders said that the car would wear the Renault 5 name, but be built on a bespoke spaceframe chassis with a price tag of potentially hundreds of thousands of pounds. 

When pushed on the plan, Renault’s design chief Laurens van den Acker didn’t deny the project's existence, but said a one-off low-volume car was “not high on our priority list right now”.

“Obviously, we fill our drawers with sketches of our dreams, and this would be one of them,” he said. “We always have ideas, every designer has his dream cars in his drawers.”

A limited production version of the 5 Turbo 3E concert would be a successor to the R5 Turbo from 1980. A car primarily designed as a mid-engined rally homologation special, just under 5,000 examples were built costing around £12,000, three times that of a regular Renault 5. The Turbo became much loved by fast Renault fans, with examples now selling for over £80,000. 

Renault boss de Meo said at the 2022 unveiling of the Turbo 3E concept that funding would be a bigger problem than technical solutions in turning the wild show car into a reality.

Would you be excited to see a production version of the Renault 5 Turbo 3E concept? Let us know in the comments section below...

Skip advert
Advertisement

As Editor, Paul’s job is to steer the talented group of people that work across Auto Express and Driving Electric, and steer the titles to even bigger and better things by bringing the latest important stories to our readers. Paul has been writing about cars and the car industry since 2000, working for consumer and business magazines as well as freelancing for national newspapers, industry titles and a host of major publications.

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Cheapest electric cars on sale 2025
Cheapest electric cars header - May 2025

Cheapest electric cars on sale 2025

EVs were often dismissed for being too expensive, but times are changing and these electric cars are flying the low-cost flag
Best cars & vans
4 Jul 2025
Extreme Renault 5 4x4 concept could be the ultimate glamping accessory
Renualt 5 4x4 concept by Delta4x4 - front 3/4

Extreme Renault 5 4x4 concept could be the ultimate glamping accessory

Chic electric supermini receives a 100mm suspension lift, flared wheelarches and chunky off-road tyres
News
3 Jul 2025
Best car leasing deals 2025
Best car leasing deals - header image

Best car leasing deals 2025

Find the best car leasing deals with the experts.
Best cars & vans
3 Jul 2025
Best superminis to buy 2025
Best superminis - header image

Best superminis to buy 2025

It's a hard-fought class, but these are the 10 best superminis on sale right now
Best cars & vans
3 Jul 2025

Most Popular

Range Rover Sport SV gets massive £35k price drop as it enters series-production
Range Rover Sport SV Black - front

Range Rover Sport SV gets massive £35k price drop as it enters series-production

There’s also a new SV Black trim, and a Range Rover Sport Stealth Package for non SVs
News
1 Jul 2025
Arrivederci Roma: new Ferrari Amalfi slots in as brand’s latest entry-level model
Ferrari Amalfi - front static

Arrivederci Roma: new Ferrari Amalfi slots in as brand’s latest entry-level model

A slick new look and more power are the headlines for Ferrari’s new baby, but it’s probably some simple new buttons that will get customers’ attention
News
1 Jul 2025
Geely is coming to the UK, and its assault will start with EX5 SUV
Geely EX5 - front

Geely is coming to the UK, and its assault will start with EX5 SUV

Geely has looked to Lotus to ensure it's new electric SUV lives up to our driving expectations
News
2 Jul 2025